Online Conveyancing? Pros/Cons

rowan222

I'm sure this has been asked many times before. So I set about googling this subject, pro's vs cons etc and havent got a clear answer. Since we are a bit fed up with our previous solicitor we are seriously considering using an online conveyancer. the lack of personal contact doesnt particularly bother us as its not that we had much before. So really looking for any advise and how to find a decent one. 

jackieblack

My experience as a seller whose buyer used an online conveyancer has led me to decide that, in the event of any future house sale, on finding my buyer was using an online conveyancer I would withdraw from the sale. It was an absolute nightmare. 
Never again.  

itsthelittlethings

My seller used Purple Bricks own conveyancers, not sure if this counts as online. The process took over a year.

twopenny

My buyers used Purple Bricks too and I said I'd not deal with anyone using them again.
It took so long for replies and negotiation on dates was awful.
I haven't come across anyone who's used another online conveyancer but it's unlikely I'd want to try and deal with someone virtually on important legal matters. Too difficult to get hold of when it's important.

rowan222

Well thats not a good start! I was never considering Purple bricks anyway. To be clear we have no complaints with our estate agents though. Just need to find a different solicitor for conveyancing. Are there any good online outfits?

Albermarle

rowan222 said:

Well thats not a good start! I was never considering Purple bricks anyway. To be clear we have no complaints with our estate agents though. Just need to find a different solicitor for conveyancing. Are there any good online outfits?

It is not directly answering your question, but even if you go with a traditional solicitors office, then 90% + of the conveyancing is done online/by email anyway.

Tabieth

I bought my house last year using a solicitor recommended by this website. It was all done online, via app, or over the phone and it worked very well. It never occurred to me to visit an office!  

Jemma01

Almost everything was dealt with online for me. I only attended their office for ID verification as mandated by HSBC. I'm not one to knock on someone's door, but it's helpful if you don't get a response when you need it to find them in person. I wouldn't consider virtual solicitors because I like to know if I made a poor choice I have options to deal with it (e.g. visiting in person for updates)

user1977

Albermarle said:

rowan222 said:

Well thats not a good start! I was never considering Purple bricks anyway. To be clear we have no complaints with our estate agents though. Just need to find a different solicitor for conveyancing. Are there any good online outfits?

It is not directly answering your question, but even if you go with a traditional solicitors office, then 90% + of the conveyancing is done online/by email anyway.

Yes, it isn't the most helpful term to use. Your local High Street solicitor isn't doing the job with quill pens and carrier pigeons.

rowan222

user1977 said:

Albermarle said:

rowan222 said:

Well thats not a good start! I was never considering Purple bricks anyway. To be clear we have no complaints with our estate agents though. Just need to find a different solicitor for conveyancing. Are there any good online outfits?

It is not directly answering your question, but even if you go with a traditional solicitors office, then 90% + of the conveyancing is done online/by email anyway.

Yes, it isn't the most helpful term to use. Your local High Street solicitor isn't doing the job with quill pens and carrier pigeons.

Yes i know that but didnt know what else to use. Something along these lines

https://hoa.org.uk/advice/guides-for-homeowners/i-am-buying/should-i-do-my-conveyancing-online/

Albermarle

rowan222 said:

user1977 said:

Albermarle said:

rowan222 said:

Well thats not a good start! I was never considering Purple bricks anyway. To be clear we have no complaints with our estate agents though. Just need to find a different solicitor for conveyancing. Are there any good online outfits?

It is not directly answering your question, but even if you go with a traditional solicitors office, then 90% + of the conveyancing is done online/by email anyway.

Yes, it isn't the most helpful term to use. Your local High Street solicitor isn't doing the job with quill pens and carrier pigeons.

Yes i know that but didnt know what else to use. Something along these lines

https://hoa.org.uk/advice/guides-for-homeowners/i-am-buying/should-i-do-my-conveyancing-online/

Even the definitions in that link are a bit woolly. It says- 

What is online conveyancing?

Online conveyancing is when the legal process of buying or selling a property takes place solely online or over the phone. You won’t meet your conveyancer face to face.

A family member recently bought a house using a firm of solicitors 200 miles away Up North( recommended by the mortgage broker, who was also 200 miles away - a friend of a friend) . So no face to face contact at all. The price was lower than local ( South East) solicitors .

I think the difference was that they were dealing with one solicitor and two assistants only ( the service was excellent) whereas with these big online conveyancing companies you do not get the same people handling your case all the time.